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HomeMy WebLinkAboutpr 1 27 2015 mmJ ■► ELGIN THE CITY IN THE SUBURBS Mayor David J. Kaptain City Council Richard Dunne Terry Gavin Rosamaria Martinez Tish S. Powell John Prigge Carol Rauschenberger Toby Shaw F. John Steffen Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Meeting Minutes January 27, 2015 City Manager 6:00 p.m. Sean R. Stegall Parks and Recreation Department Staff Conference Room, Administration Office, Second Level The Centre of Elgin, 100 Symphony Way, Elgin, IL 60120 Present: Tom Armstrong, Karyn Garcia, Carl Missele, Kristen Rowe Absent: Anthony Armato, Eric Larson Staff: Randy Reopelle, Maria Cumpata, Verdelle Corn Guest: Marino Lamantia Call to Order: Tom Armstrong called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. II. Minutes of the September 30, 2014 and November 18, 2014 meetings: MOTION: Carl Missele moved to approve the September 30 minutes. Kristen Rowe seconded. Motion carried unanimously. MOTION: Carl Missele moved to approve the November 18 minutes. Kristen Rowe seconded. Motion carried unanimously. III. Citizens Forum (items not on the agenda): Holly Hudson, Chicago Metropolitan Planning Association, attended to provide information on grant opportunities. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) has a grant to improve water quality that could be used to fund improvements at Jack Cook Park. Randy Reopelle noted that some of the farm drain tiles are broken. Holly responded that tiles can be restored and valves installed to control and maintain wetland designation. She also noted that the Fox River watershed is a priority for funding this year. She continued noting that grants are 60/40 split and that staff time counts as 'in -kind' and she will help write a grant application. To do so, a conceptual plan is required and would need to incorporate best practice and educational components. Randy Reopelle noted that the next phase of improvements needs to be determined for Jack E. Cook Park. Holly noted that eight years ago the price tag was too high for 'storm water best management practice' projects to manage storm water because it was new practices and methods had to be proven (testing, research, etc.). They no longer need to prove that these 'practices' work; it has been proven to work. There is still 150 Dexter Court, Elgin, IL 60120 847- 931 -6100 www.cityofelgin.org opportunity to add passive elements such as passive trails and board walks, under this type of 319 grant. Randy inquired about selling off wetland credits. Holly will investigate and report back. Holly recommended staff check out Stuart Sports Complex of Fox Valley Park District. They have incorporated several of these elements. The Fox River Eco System partnership is holding a program on June 17, noon to 1:30 p.m. at Stuart Sports Complex to learn about how to implement "naturalized areas as part of a sports complex expansion." IV. Dog Park Request: Randy Reopelle and Mayor Kaptain were invited to the Shadow Hill Condominium Homeowners Association meeting on November 27 to discuss a dog park for their neighborhood area. Bob Duerr, President of their homeowners' association, provided a summary of possible locations in their area including a detention area the HOA owns and would donate for a dog park development. Staff will investigate a site by Prairie Knolls Middle School. City of Elgin has property near this location. In the meantime, Mr. Duerr will send a survey out to the three HOAs within Shadow Hill subdivision. V. Requests to Vend in Parks: Randy noted that there is a city ordinance against mobile vending, which the City Council has discussed briefly but has yet to change it. Because of the ordinance we could not proceed with requests from any vendors to sell food /beverage in parks. It is expected that council will address the ordinance in the next couple of months. Once council determines what will be amended, if anything, we need to address what will be required to vend in park(s) and what the selection process will be. VI. Miscellaneous: a. Youth Sports Grant Cycle: Randy and Maria Cumpata are meeting with youth sports groups individually in preparation of the February 24 Advisory Board meeting. At that meeting each group will present a recap of their 2014 accomplishments and their capital requests for funding through the Youth Sports Grant. It was noted by Randy that ESPN is televising the girls Little League fast pitch tournament championship game in 2015, which is being held at National's fields. Therefore, the city budgeted $110,000 from the Park Development Fund to install new lights. The lighting is so old that ESPN probably would not be able to televise during evening hours. The 2015 youth sports grant funding is $50,000. It was noted that the February meeting will be held in The Centre's West Conference Room rather than the staff conference room. Randy communicated that the cell tower to be sited on ENLL's property on north side of Summit Street/Rt. 58 (formerly American Little League) was approved. The $24,000 rental fee should go to the Park Development fund. b. March into Health: The 4th Annual March into Health is Activate Elgin's signature event each year. This year's events are held between February 28 and March 28 with 39 programs, events, and activities that are spread across town. Parks and Recreation hosts the kick -off event - Health & Fitness Expo at The Centre's Heritage Ballroom, February 28 from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Other events Parks and Recreation is hosting include boxing at the Eastside Recreation Center (ERC) and golf injury prevention and fitness at Bowes Creek Country Club (BCCC). ERC's event is free and includes boxing introduction and instruction for the whole family. BCCC's event teaches you how to prepare your body for an injury -free season. There is much more going on; check out c. Other: Tom Armstrong communicated that Advocate Sherman is selling approximately five acres on south side of Slade Avenue that currently is paved parking lots. Tom also noted that May is Preservation Month, which would be a good time to have a ribbon cutting ceremony for Trillium Park and recognize Mary Lou Seidel and Holly Yee as well as Rose and Jim Hunter. Randy communicated that the Youth Leadership Academy REALITY group contacted him. REALITY is an anti- tobacco movement created by and for Illinois teens. Their goal is to have a smoke -free parks policy passed. They are conducting a survey of the Elgin community and request the survey be posted on the Parks website and /or Facebook page. MOTION: Carl Missele motioned to allow the survey to be posted on the park website. Kristen Rowe seconded. The motion passed unanimously. VII. Adjournment: MOTION: Carl Missele motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:35 p.m. Kristen Rowe seconded. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submit e f� Verdelle Corn, Recording Secretary Approved: L 150 Dexter Court, Elgin, IL 60120 847 - 931 -6100 www.cityofelgin.org